From TheScarletSp1der’s shelf to yours…#10

It’s time for another edition of one of my favorite segments: “From TheScarletSp1der’s shelf to yours…”

Sometimes, instead of choosing to go out to watch a movie (and trust me, January is NOT the month to be rushing to theaters as the beginning of the year is traditionally the worst time of year for new releases), you may feel like watching one at home. Only…which one do you watch?

Every so often I like to make movie recommendations for you from the movies that I have in my own personal stash through a segment that I love and love to call “From TheScarletSp1der’s shelf to yours…”

Do you like to collect movies? If you do, you know that the value of a worthy movie collection lies not in quantity, but in quality. As I’ve said before, “You may have 500 movies, but if 375 of them are horrible….then your neighbor with 75 classics has a better collection! In my opinion.” Hopefully these segments will help you in your quest for the perfect movie collection. Several great films never get the recognition that they are due. So, I choose to share the ones I know of with you! Here’s another peek into my own personal movie stash. Enjoy!

This 1973 heist classic comes from the same gene pool as films like the original The Italian Job (1969) and the original Ocean’s Eleven (1960). The only difference is that while The Italian Job and Ocean’s Eleven received nominations for Golden Globes and such like, The Sting received the coveted Academy Award for Best Picture at the 46th Academy Awards Ceremony on April 2, 1974!

Here’s the trailer:

Yes, you saw correctly in the trailer: The Sting didn’t just win The Academy Award for Best Picture! It won 6 others:

Best Director (George Roy Hill)

Best Writing- Story and Screenplay

Best Art Direction- Set Decoration

Best Costume Design

Best Film Editing

Best Music: Original song score and/or adaptation

(It was also nominated for 3 additional Oscars: Best Actor in Leading Role (Redford), Best Cinematography, and Best Sound.) Impressive!

Partnering Robert Redford and Paul Newman once again, this buddy-buddy adventure -while formulaic at times- proved to be a great success and director George Hill hit the nail on the head with this film! Not only does the veteran talent of the cast shine, but the period piece’s environment and attention to detail seamlessly transports viewers into the mob-ridden underworld of 1930’s Chicago!

While the characters of the film are a bit expected, that is partly due to so many films that have released since then that we have seen. The majority of heist films nowadays do nothing more than copy the formula of this huge success. Imitation truly is the sincerest form of flattery! You will enjoy the work of Redford, Newman, Shaw, Jones, and more in this exciting heist film of heist films!

The story appeals to audiences of all types with a great blend with bits of revenge, a match of wits, action, suspense, film noir, loyalty, and evil vs. evil-er! ha! A classic that still appeals to viewers almost 40 years later!

Rated PG for language and violence, The Sting is a must-see! (be sure you watch The Sting and not the grossly sad sequel, The Sting II which NONE of the main cast returned for ten years later.)

*Interesting tidbit: “When asked about his possible role in The Sting, Jack Nicholson said, ‘I like it. I like the period setting, the whole project, and I know it will be commercial. But I need to put my energies into a movie that really needs them. I need to take a risk.'”

Can’t argue with two of cinema’s most handsome leading men in charge of a large con wrapped in a near flawless period piece. Full of great lines and moments. Especially between Newman and Redford. Robert Shaw owns the role of Doyle Lonnegan, Always taken aback by stalwarts Ray Walston and Harold Gould adding their support while quietly keeping the youngsters and novices in line.

The only downside point about the ‘The Sting’ isn’t really the film’s fault.

A major electronics convention decided to use the film’s theme song. Scott Joplin’s piano rag, ‘The Entertainer’ on a constant 36 hour loop. While I helped provide the security in Washington DC’s Hays Adams hotel’s enormous underground Display Rooms. I nearly jumped for joy when the loop finally ended as many displays were broken down and packed up.